Delegates welcomed the former prime minister with applause and Friedrich Merz noted the importance of her visit
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel attended the federal congress of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Stuttgart for the first time after leaving the post of head of government. Delegates greeted her with prolonged applause.
The current head of government and president of the CDU, Friedrich Merz, welcomed Merkel in his speech: “First of all, I welcome the former president of the German CDU and our long-time chancellor, Angela Merkel. Dear Angela, welcome!” The relationship between Merkel and Merz remains rocky, with Merz rejecting some aspects of her political legacy and the former chancellor at times criticizing the current head of government.
Merkel served as chancellor from 2005 to 2021. She began her career in the party at the same time as Friedrich Merz, but managed to surpass him in the internal political struggle. After Merkel announced her resignation in 2018, Merz returned to active politics.
